Improve dietary diversity of women of reproductive age

Cambodia is home to diverse food systems and well-endowed with nutritious food. However, poor households often cannot afford this safe and nutritious food exacerbated by COVID-19 socio-economic impacts. To break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, the food system can contribute to (1) improving access to healthy diets by diversifying the availability of food and making these foods more physically accessible and (2) by improving livelihoods of the most vulnerable to improve their purchasing power. Diversification and income need to be complemented by measures to (3) improve food safety and to promote the consumption of fresh, healthy and diverse foods as well as access to health services (further elaborated under UHC commitments).

Existing action plans clearly outline the actions required across sectors to improve dietary diversity of women of reproductive age. These include multi-sectoral plans further operationalized by sectoral strategies including from agriculture, health, social protection, and education.